Satsangs

Satsang is a compound Sanskrit word that means “keeping the company of the Self.” The Self, Awareness, is the true nature of everyone and one keeps company with it by continually meditating on it in many ways. One of the most effective methods involves discussing non-dual teachings with someone who has realized his or her identity as the Self, to get clarity with reference to Self inquiry. The satsangs posted here are the questions of many people around the world who are interested in enlightenment and find that Vedanta is their preferred means of Self knowledge. Since I am a teacher of Vedanta, a time tested means of self inquiry, I am qualified to reply to these questions.~James Swartz

ShiningWorld Reader

Question: What does it mean when James sometimes gives human-like qualities to awareness? For example, he sometimes says that awareness wants to be known or it is making you seek for awareness.

Arlindo: It is a tricky business to talk or write about awareness without getting into this language problem. All mithya languages are dualistic and always refer to names given to objects – their forms, properties, qualities and attributes. Whenever anyone speculates to say that awareness is looking to know itself in the “saguna” field of creation through self-inquiry and self-knowledge, keep in mind that it is a metaphor.

As you said, awareness is “nirguna” (guna-free, or without attributes). It is free of any subtle modification and therefore non-dual and attributeless. Pure awareness is not an “experiencing entity”! Yet scriptures speculate to say that awareness is of the nature of “sat chit ananda” – existence-consciousness-limitlessness – which are not really its qualities and attributes, but awareness very attributeless in nature.

But our languages will always fall short in describing our true nature. No wonder some teachers suggest that it is better not to say anything and just remain in silence. But that does not help much. Why so? Because mithya-ignorance requires mithya-knowledge in order to disclose the attributeless nature of the self. Silence will not do the job. Knowledge is the only remedy for ignorance.

Furthermore, it is not completely wrong to say that awareness plus maya “apparently” seeks to know itself in mithya. How so? Since reality is non-dual and all there is is awareness, we can as well suggest that in mithya awareness, with the aid of jiva’s highly reflective subtle body, seeks to know itself through the experience of its own reflection.

Contacting Shining World

For years I have happily and diligently responded to communications on the topic of Self realization. Since the publication of my book, “How to Attain Enlightenment”— currently in its third printing —and the success of this website, the volume of emails has increased considerably. Unfortunately, owing to a busy schedule of teaching and writing, I am no longer able to answer all the emails I receive in a timely fashion. However, my wife, who is also a teacher, and several well-qualified teachers we have endorsed are available to answer emails on my behalf. I encourage you to send them your questions.
— James SwartzContact Us